Blossom, a waterfall and fjord villages
The Hardangerfjord is a fruit-growing region as much as a scenic one. In spring the orchards along the shore flower, and in late summer and autumn the fruit is ready. Inland, on the national road Rv7 at Eidfjord, the Vøringsfossen falls 597 feet (182 m) into the Måbødalen valley.
This guide covers those two sights and the practical side: when the paths and facilities are open, how the blossom season works and which buses serve the area. Hiking to the Trolltunga rock has its own guide, because it is a full-day mountain walk. This is an independent site and is not run by a local tourist board or any operator.
The Vøringsfossen on foot
What the national road administration and the local information say about the site.
Paths and platforms
There are more than 1 km (0.6 miles) of secured paths, viewing platforms and a stair bridge. Parking and toilets are at Fossli and Fossatromma. Parts of the site are wheelchair accessible, but not the whole area, so do not assume every platform is.
Season
The local information gives 1 April to 31 October for parking and toilets, depending on snow and ice. The road administration says the toilets are normally open from early April to November. Do not plan around November. In winter the platforms, the stair bridge and parts of the path are closed, and with snow-covered railings there is no safe access.
Getting there
The falls are on Rv7 in Eidfjord, about 11 miles (18 km) and 20 minutes by road from the village of Eidfjord. Older guides sometimes mention construction. The administration announced the full opening for 18 September 2024, so those notes are out of date.
Motorhomes
Do not empty motorhome toilets at the Vøringsfossen site. Read the signs on arrival for parking fees.
Our picks: Hardangerfjord
A guided day from Bergen past the waterfalls or a short RIB ride from Norheimsund.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hardangerfjord, Eidfjord and waterfalls day tour from Bergen
A guided nine-hour day tour from Bergen.
Check availability →Hardangerfjord and Fyksesund RIB safari
A 75-minute RIB boat ride with a flotation suit, life jacket, goggles, gloves and a hat provided.
Check availability →Hardangerfjord and fjord country tours
Fjord cruises, waterfall visits and day trips in western Norway, with live prices and availability.
The blossom season
The regional tourist information puts the orchard blossom usually from mid-May to mid-June, depending on how warm the spring is. In some warm years it begins in April. Places named for it are Ulvik, Lofthus and the Sørfjorden.
The length of the blossom is not fixed. Estimates range from three to six weeks, depending on the tree species, so there is no blossom calendar you can rely on for 2026. If you plan around it, stay flexible with your dates. Blossom and harvest are two different seasons. Fresh fruit comes late in summer and in autumn, not in spring.
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April | Blossom in an unusually warm spring |
| Mid-May to mid-June | The usual blossom period, from three to six weeks depending on the species |
| Late summer and autumn | Fresh fruit |
| 1 April to 31 October | Parking and toilets at the Vøringsfossen |
Orchards, camping and getting around
Rules and changes that affect a Hardanger trip.
Orchards are working farms
The right to roam covers considerate use of uncultivated land. On cultivated land you need the owner's permission to pitch a tent. Ask a farm before you walk between trees, and ask it for opening dates and fees for any tasting or visit.
Tents in the countryside
As a rule, keep a tent at least 150 m (about 500 feet) from inhabited houses and cabins, and stay no more than two nights in the same place. Exceptions exist in the high mountains and far from buildings. Local protection and camping rules still apply.
New bus terminal in Odda
Since 4 May 2026 buses in Odda leave from a new terminal near the former smelter site, not from the old bus station. This affects line 930 from Bergen to Odda, line 990 from Odda to Voss and line 995 from Odda to Tyssedal.
Hiking to the Trolltunga
The walk to the Trolltunga starts at Tyssedal, Skjeggedal or Mågelitopp and takes a full day. See the Trolltunga guide for routes, parking and safety.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other fjord guides on this site.
The Trolltunga hike
Routes, parking, season and safety.
The Sognefjord
Norway's longest fjord and the boat from Bergen to Flåm.
Fjord day trips from Bergen
Boat trips that start in the city.
Spring and autumn timing is covered on the page for the best time to visit the fjords. On the Nordfjord, Stryn, Loen and Olden have their own guide. A longer drive north is covered by the Northern Norway road trip guide.
Hardangerfjord: frequently asked questions
When do the fruit trees bloom in Hardanger?
Usually from mid-May to mid-June, depending on the spring weather. In warm years the first blossom can come in April. The length varies by species, so there is no fixed date for 2026.
When is the fruit ripe?
Fresh fruit comes in late summer and autumn. Blossom and harvest are different seasons, so a spring trip will not coincide with fresh fruit.
How high is the Vøringsfossen?
The drop is 182 m (597 feet). The site has more than 1 km (0.6 miles) of secured paths, viewing platforms and a stair bridge.
Is the Vøringsfossen open in winter?
Parts of it close. Parking and toilets are listed for 1 April to 31 October, depending on snow and ice. In winter the platforms, the stair bridge and parts of the path are closed, and snow on the railings makes access unsafe.
Can I visit in a wheelchair?
Partly. Some parts of the site are wheelchair accessible, but not the whole area. Check the specific platform before you go.
How do I get to Odda by bus?
Line 930 runs from Bergen to Odda. Since 4 May 2026 it leaves Odda from a new terminal near the former smelter site, not from the old bus station.